Central Queens Sees Progress In Fight Against Coronavirus Spike

KEW GARDENS, QUEENS — The Central Queens "red zone" is showing signs of progress curbing the spread of COVID-19, two weeks after the state tightened restrictions in the coronavirus cluster.

Under 2.6 percent of coronavirus tests in the red zone came back positive during the six-day stretch ending Saturday, compared to a rate of 3.7 percent the week before and 3.8 percent the week before that, according to data released Monday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office.

Citing the Queens numbers, Cuomo hinted that the state may soon redraw its map of localized lockdowns, which uses a color-coded system to determine guidelines for local schools, businesses and gatherings within the "microclusters" where COVID-19 cases have been rising.

The Central Queens red zone includes parts of Forest Hills, Kew Gardens and Kew Gardens Hills.

"The numbers have come down, particularly in Queens," Cuomo said during a Monday teleconference. "We can adjust the zones, you can make them bigger, you can make them smaller because you have the numbers block-by-block basically. So, you can change the contours."

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday called Central Queens a "good example" to other red and orange zones in New York City.

"Those numbers have gotten substantially better," de Blasio said. "So, that's an area that we're pleased about."

The city is continuing to increase access to COVID-19 testing in Central Queens, with new sites including the Kew Gardens Hills public library, Willow Lake Playground and Annadale Playground.

Testing is also available at 82-98 Austin St., near the Kew Gardens LIRR station, according to City Council Member Karen Koslowitz.

More COVID-19 testing available this week:

- 8298 Austin Street near the LIRR KG Station. Mon-Sun from 9AM-5PM
- Willow Lake Playground on 72nd Ave bet. 112th & GCP Mon-Fri from 10AM-4PM
- Annadale Playground on Yellowstone Blvd bet. 64th Rd & 65th Ave. Mon-Fri from 10AM-4PM.
— Karen Koslowitz (@CMKoslowitz) October 19, 2020